Instacart has collaborated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to provide eligible individuals with a convenient way to purchase WIC-approved foods. WIC participants can use their WIC benefits to shop for groceries online through the Instacart app or website. The benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, milk, and other WIC-approved items from participating grocery stores. Instacart makes it easy for WIC recipients to access healthy food options, saving them time and effort, while ensuring they have the necessary nutrition for themselves and their families.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is determined at the state level. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, you must meet certain income and resource requirements. The income limits for SNAP are based on the federal poverty guidelines. In general, you must have a household income that is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for SNAP benefits. You may also be eligible for SNAP benefits if you are a member of a household that receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or if you are a low-income senior citizen or disabled person. To apply for SNAP benefits, you must contact your state or local SNAP office.
Benefits
SNAP benefits are provided in the form of an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. You can use your EBT card to purchase food at authorized retailers. You can also use your EBT card to withdraw cash from ATMs. The amount of SNAP benefits you receive each month is based on the size of your household and your income. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit amount for a household of four is $750.
Shopping with Instacart
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service. You can use Instacart to order groceries from local stores and have them delivered to your home. Instacart accepts SNAP benefits as payment for grocery orders. To use SNAP benefits with Instacart, you must first create an Instacart account. Once you have created an account, you can link your EBT card to your Instacart account. Once your EBT card is linked to your Instacart account, you can use it to pay for grocery orders. When you check out, you will be prompted to select a payment method. You can select SNAP benefits as your payment method. Instacart will then deduct the amount of your grocery order from your SNAP balance.
Eligible Items
You can use SNAP benefits to purchase a variety of food items, including:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Dairy products
- Bread
- Cereals
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
You cannot use SNAP benefits to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or non-food items, such as household supplies or cleaning products.
SNAP Food List Filter
Instacart offers a SNAP Food List filter that you can use to find SNAP-eligible items. To use the SNAP Food List filter, click on the “Filters” button on the Instacart website or app. Then, select the “SNAP Eligible” filter. The SNAP Food List filter will only show you SNAP-eligible items that are available at the store you are shopping from.
Fees
Instacart charges a delivery fee for each grocery order. The delivery fee varies depending on the size of your order and the delivery window you select. You can also choose to add a tip for your delivery driver.
| Delivery Window | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| Same-day delivery (3-hour window) | $7.99 |
| Next-day delivery (1-day window) | $5.99 |
| Scheduled delivery (up to 7 days in advance) | $3.99 |
Instacart’s Acceptance Policy
Instacart accepts a wide range of payment methods, including cash, debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards. However, there are some methods of payment that Instacart does not accept. These include:
- Prepaid cards that are not linked to a bank account
- Checks
- Money orders
- PayPal
- Venmo
If you attempt to use one of these methods of payment, your order will be declined. You will need to select a different method of payment in order to complete your order.
In addition, Instacart does not accept payments made in foreign currencies. If you are using a credit or debit card that is issued by a bank outside of the United States, you will need to contact your bank to convert the currency into U.S. dollars before you can use it to make a purchase on Instacart.
| Payment Method | Accepted |
|---|---|
| Cash | Yes |
| Debit cards | Yes |
| Credit cards | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes |
| Prepaid cards (not linked to a bank account) | No |
| Checks | No |
| Money orders | No |
| PayPal | No |
| Venmo | No |
WIC Eligibility and Instacart
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.
Foods Eligible for WIC Purchase on Instacart
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Milk
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
- Canned fish
- Infant formula
To use WIC benefits on Instacart, you will need to be enrolled in the WIC program and have a valid WIC card. You can add WIC-eligible items to your Instacart order and then select “WIC” as your payment method at checkout.
| Item | WIC Allowance |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | $24 per month |
| Whole grains | $30 per month |
| Milk | $36 per month |
| Cheese | $16 per month |
| Eggs | $30 per month |
| Peanut butter | $12 per month |
| Canned fish | $6 per month |
| Infant formula | Varies depending on age of infant |
Thanks for sticking with me until the end! If you need more info on WIC or Instacart, be sure to check out their websites. And don’t forget to come back again soon for more grocery-related Q&A. Until next time, happy shopping!